Here’s Our First Look at Google App in Material 3 Expressive Design

A number of apps have already begun adopting the upcoming Material 3 Expressive design changes, but only a handful have rolled them out in full. Some, like Google Messages, are still waiting in the wings for a complete update. Now, it looks like we’re finally getting a first glimpse of the Google app decked out in the full Material 3 Expressive style.

Material 3 Expressive design finally paints the Google app, but it’s not live yet

Fine folks at Android Authority recently spotted the Material 3 Expressive design changes in the Google app beta v16.22.44. The publication includes several screenshots that clearly highlight the visual updates. According to the report, the status bar now has a translucent gradient background. This change is more noticeable in light mode compared to dark mode. You can take a closer look at the screenshots below.

Another visual tweak affects the progress bar beneath the Search bar. When users perform a search, the progress bar now appears slightly thicker. It also features smoother, more rounded edges. This small update makes the interface feel more modern and easier on the eyes.

Google is also planning changes to the bottom navigation tabs. Instead of staying fixed while scrolling, the tabs now disappear during scroll and return when needed. This behavior helps reduce visual clutter and makes better use of screen space.

You can also see the new scroll behavior in the video published in original post. As for when the Material 3 Expressive redesign will go live, it likely won’t be long. Android 16 is already rolling out to Pixel devices. So we can expect a wider release soon. If not in the coming days, it should arrive in the next few weeks.